2003 29 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

The Story

As I sit here and reflect on some of the major milestones for Vineyard 29, I am drawn back to my very first blending session and bottling run here at the estate. It was 2005, I actually had hair on the top of my head, and we were finalizing the 2003 ‘Aida Estate’ Proprietary Red Wine as well as the 2003 ’29 Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon. The wines were stunning coming straight out of barrel but it was an absolute pleasure fine tuning each of those blends just prior to bottling. Tasting them 20 years later, I am very pleased with what we blended. The intensity and structure of the Aida is still shining bright and the tertiary, refined, polished characteristics of the 29 Estate are absolutely gorgeous after 20 years.

THE VINEYARD

Our 29 Estate Vineyard sits on a hillside just at the “pinch” of Napa Valley’s hourglass shape. Excellent airflow provides natural frost protection, while the fertile clay loam soils encourage deeply rooted vines, yielding powerfully concentrated cabernet sauvignon tempered by markedly floral, velvet elegance and explosive aromatic.

THE VINTAGE

The strong tradition of our flagship Vineyard 29 Cabernet Sauvignon continues with this offering. Our 2003 vintage is inky red, tinged with thick purple hues. The nose opens with fresh mixed berry fruit and ripe cherry aromas with hints of violets and crème de cassis. Toasted baking spices, dusty cocoa, coffee and graphite add enhanced layers of complexity.

The Wine

Firm but soft velvety tannins are balanced with the natural fruit acids to keep the palate lively. Blackberries, concentrated blueberry, and subtle toasty oak flavors persist through a lengthy finish. This is a rich, full-bodied, strikingly proportioned, beautifully textured, elegant and nuanced wine. Enjoy this beauty now through 2020.

The Update

Ruby red in color, our 2003 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon has aromatic notes of black olive, leather, coffee grounds and light soy. Expressing a beautiful red fruit profile that showcases rich Bing cherry this beautiful wine has long, refined silky tannins and bright acidity.

2008 Aida Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

The Story

I clearly remember the cold early spring and the frost event that jeopardized our yields of the 2008 vintage. It was what my good friend and gentleman farmer, Jim Bundschu, calls a “black frost”. Too cold for the wind machines or sprinklers to assist with. We lost some serious shoots in April, thus the low yielding 2008 vintage. Tasting the wines 15 years from harvest, I am extremely excited about how they are showing. The energy behind these two Cabernets (we changed the Aida Proprietary Red Wine to Aida Cabernet Sauvignon starting with the 2005 vintage) is laser sharp and the fruit is absolutely shining in each of these blends. The 2008 vintage was a cooler year and the floral characters are shining through at year 15. The wines are concentrated and powerful, but man, they are just so pretty with ideal acidity and tannin structure. Still very youthful.

THE VINEYARD

We have been fueled by our belief that Aida would be an ideal site for growing Bordeaux varietals since our acquisition of this wonderful site in 2000. Each harvest has affirmed our initial belief and makes us look forward to the following year.

THE VINTAGE

2008 marked an ideal growing season and this vintage of Aida Cabernet benefited from an early bud break and cool summer which allowed for plenty of hang time and flavor development. Yields were low and small, highly concentrated berries helped to create a harmonious wine of supreme structure.

The Wine

Abundant aromas of dark chocolate, coffee grounds and burning embers lead into a palate of black cherry, crushed rock and a touch of smokiness. Bold in stature, this rich, masculine cabernet will benefit from decanting and can be enjoyed over the next 20+ years.

The Update

The nose of this muscular and powerful wine opens with lifted floral aromas that melt into a rich palate of black currant, tar, and crushed rock with deep earth driven undertones. From the low-yielding 2008 Aida vintage, this rich and concentrated wine lingers with grippy tannins on the finish.

2008 29 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

The Story

I clearly remember the cold early spring and the frost event that jeopardized our yields of the 2008 vintage. It was what my good friend and gentleman farmer, Jim Bundschu, calls a “black frost”. Too cold for the wind machines or sprinklers to assist with. We lost some serious shoots in April, thus the low yielding 2008 vintage. Tasting the wines 15 years from harvest, I am extremely excited about how they are showing. The energy behind these two Cabernets (we changed the Aida Proprietary Red Wine to Aida Cabernet Sauvignon starting with the 2005 vintage) is laser sharp and the fruit is absolutely shining in each of these blends. The 2008 vintage was a cooler year and the floral characters are shining through at year 15. The wines are concentrated and powerful, but man, they are just so pretty with ideal acidity and tannin structure. Still very youthful.

THE VINEYARD

Our 29 Estate Vineyard sits on a hillside just at the “pinch” of Napa Valley’s hourglass shape. Excellent airflow provides natural frost protection, while the fertile clay loam soils encourage deeply rooted vines, yielding powerfully concentrated cabernet sauvignon tempered by markedly floral, velvet elegance and explosive aromatic.

THE VINTAGE

Our 29 Estate property continues to enchant us with wines of extraordinary elegance and sophistication – and our 2008 29 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon claims these traits and melds them with restrained power and concentration. Similar in structure to the cool 2001 vintage, the 2008 exhibits hallmarks of a wine of great ageability that will be a long-term addition to your collection.

The Wine

An opaque, deep ruby hue in the glass reveals aromatic notes of crushed blackberries, cassis and loamy soil on the nose. After a moment in the glass, aromas of black plums, new saddle leather and dusty earth, with hints of dried wildflowers emerge, adding a delicate perfume to this compelling wine. On the palate fresh tobacco leaf and exuberant dark berries add richness and depth and marry perfectly with sweet tannins and a full-bodied finish. Our 2008 29 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon will benefit by 3 years of bottle age and generous decanting and will develop gracefully over the next 20 to 25 years.

The Update

Aromas of mountain sage, dried lavender and crunchy blueberries highlighted by great acidity and a lush, velvety texture. The palate shows fresh violets, chocolate covered coffee beans and cassis. This gorgeous wine is still evolving and has many years ahead.

2013 Aida Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

The Story

Many folks, including the critics, consider 2013 the best vintage we’ve had this century. I may have some other memorable favorites but I find it difficult to argue with the critics. Our 2013 estate wines were received very well by the critics with lots of “high 90” scores and we were humbled and honored to receive our first 100 point score on our 2013 ’29 Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon by Mr. Robert Parker Jr. I think Aida stands toe to toe with our 100 point 29 Estate!

THE VINEYARD

Our Aida Estate Vineyard has confirmed our initial belief that this site would be ideal location for growing Bordeaux varietals. Just north of the pinch in the hourglass of the Napa Valley, the cabernet sauvignon grapes from our Aida Estate provide the bold, structured backbone for this immensely enjoyable wine.

THE VINTAGE

The 2013 vintage will be remembered as one of the driest in recent history opening the year with a warm, dry spring. Bud break was early and canopy growth was vigorous – ideal conditions for flowering and fruit set. The growing season was consistent throughout with wonderfully healthy vine activity resulting in ideal cluster growth. Picture perfect weather continued into September and October allowing delicious flavor development while maintaining crisp acid profiles. The wines of 2013 are lusciously flavorful, beautifully balanced and will be hallmarks of your table and cellar for years to come.

The Wine

Our 2013 Aida Estate Cabernet Sauvignon opens with an enticing, expressive nose of chocolate covered cherries then continues to evolve revealing tantalizing scents of rich cocoa powder, scorched earth and iron-laden red soils heated by the sun after a summer rain. The well-structured backbone of fine-grained tannins lifts a bold acidity that indicates lengthy cellaring potential. The finish of this lush yet powerful wine lingers and lingers long after the last delicious sip.

Our 2013 Aida Estate Cabernet will benefit from generous decanting for the next five years and will develop in your cellar for 20 and more years.

The Update

Our 2013 Aida Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is a powerhouse wine, dark red in color with aromas of cherry and blackberry fruits supported by earthy hits of crushed rock, graphite and wet soil. The fruit profile on the palate is dark and brooding with firm tannins and a smooth velvety texture. As you swirl your glass the tannins soften and red and black fruit profiles open up and invite you back. This powerful wine will continue to age gracefully for well over ten additional years.

2013 29 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

The Story

Many folks, including the critics, consider 2013 the best vintage we’ve had this century. I may have some other memorable favorites but I find it difficult to argue with the critics. Our 2013 estate wines were received very well by the critics with lots of “high 90” scores and we were humbled and honored to receive our first 100 point score on our 2013 ’29 Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon by Mr. Robert Parker Jr. I think Aida stands toe to toe with our 100 point 29 Estate!

THE VINEYARD

Our 29 Estate Vineyard sits on a hillside just at the “pinch” of Napa Valley’s hourglass shape. Excellent airflow provides natural frost protection, while the fertile clay loam soils encourage deeply rooted vines, yielding powerfully concentrated cabernet sauvignon tempered by markedly floral, velvet elegance and explosive aromatic.

THE VINTAGE

The 2013 vintage will be remembered as one of the driest in recent history opening the year with a warm, dry spring. Bud break was early and canopy growth was vigorous – ideal conditions for flowering and fruit set. The growing season was consistent throughout with wonderfully healthy vine activity resulting in ideal cluster growth. Picture perfect weather continued into September and October allowing delicious flavor development while maintaining crisp acid profiles. The wines of 2013 are lusciously flavorful, beautifully balanced and will be hallmarks of your table and cellar for years to come.

The Wine

Our 2013 29 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon exudes sophistication, elegance and power. Opening aromas of cassis, sun ripened blackberries and fresh violets seem to explode from the glass beckoning you to indulge and explore this seductive wine. On the palate, hints of blueberry and camphor mingle with tobacco leaves and graphite – alluring notes that carry all the way to the finish. Bright acidity keeps this wine fresh but it is the tannins that are the showstopper. Silky tannins provide firmness and power while shaping plush, polished and full-bodied mouthfeel and a finish that truly is never-ending. Our 2013 29 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon will delight you with generous decanting in its youth and will develop gracefully for 30 to 35 years. This wine is, dare we say, perfect.

The Update

Our 2013 29 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is vibrantly perfumed with notes of violets, cassis, and black currants. The palate is rich and concentrated throughout with firm and structured tannins, refreshing acidity, plushness, and balance. The finish is long and mouthwatering leaving you anticipating and longing for your next sip. Exuberantly youthful at age 10, this extraordinary wine has many years of furthering aging potential.

Accolades

“Absolutely sublime…this profound wine…is the finest Cabernet Sauvignon to emerge from the 29 Estate. 100 points.” -The Wine Advocate